According to the Mirror, the Japanese capital was chosen ahead of Madrid and Istanbul by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during a meeting in Buenos Aires.

The report said that all the three cities had spent millions in promoting their bids and had been vying to become the host of the 2020 Olympics, with Japan even having Princess Takamado, a member of the Japanese Imperial Family, give a presentation to IOC members where she stressed how the country would have a 'safe' Games.

The report further said that in the ballot, Madrid was the first to be eliminated, which left Tokyo and Istanbul biting their fingers for half and hour to find out which one was victorious.

After IOC President Jacques Rogge finally announced Tokyo as the winner, the city erupted in wild celebrations, adding that Tokyo had last held the Olympics in 1964.